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ACA Renews Educational Alliance with NASA

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (June 30, 2014) — The American Camp Association (ACA) is announcing a new educational alliance with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), whose mission is to drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance communication, knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth.

Through this alliance, ACA and NASA will broaden the STEM-related educational resources that are available to the camp community and enhance STEM-related professional development opportunities for camp professionals. NASA intends to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, explorers, educators, and innovators to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“The camp industry continues to evolve to meet the needs of our ever-changing society. ACA research shows that 52 percent of day camps and 50 percent of resident camps offer one or more academic, science or technology programs. Camp offers children the opportunity to participate in experiential education, allowing them experiences to explore, discover, and learn," said Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association.

Astronaut, John Grunsfeld, PhD is also an avid supporter of the alliance. In July 1969 he was at summer camp in Wisconsin when the camp brought everyone together to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step foot on the moon for the first time. That moment at summer camp inspired him to work with the ACA to try and give that experience to campers today.

“Science camps today have come a long way from when I was a kid. Campers today spend their summer in a natural environment having an enormous amount of fun but also an enormous amount of learning in science, technology, engineering and math. It’s critically important that we take the STEM education out of the classroom and put it in the outdoors, where kids can learn how fun it is to do science and to understand science,” said Ruth Netting, Science Communicator for NASA.

About ACAThe American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 290 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.